Frank Lampard to return for Chelsea in crunch Spurs clash

07 December 2010 12:26

Carlo Anceloti is hopeful he will have Frank Lampard available for Chelsea's clash with Tottenham on Sunday - a week ahead of his scheduled return to action.

Ancelotti is giving serious consideration to thrusting Lampard (above) back into the fray in the hope that the talismanic midfielder can help drag Chelsea out of their recent slump.

Groin and adductor muscle injuries have kept Lampard sidelined since August. Despite resuming training with the first team, he had originally been pencilled in for a return against Manchester United in a fortnight.

Thumbs up: Lampard is set to return for Chelsea a week earlier than expected

But Chelsea have taken only five points from a possible 18 and Ancelotti may take a calculated risk with the 32-year-old.

John Terry has reported no ill effects from his return to action in the draw against Everton, while Florent Malouda has not been punished for slapping visiting skipper Phil Neville.

Branislav Ivanovic's lunge on Seamus Coleman has also escaped sanction after referee Lee Probert reviewed the two incidents but deemed they did not require action.

Man in the stand: Lampard, pictured with girlfriend Christine Bleakley, has watched most of Chelsea's season from the sidelines

Speaking about his return, Terry, who is in Chelsea's squad for the Champions League dead rubber against Marseille on Wednesday night, said: 'The injury is fine. I felt nothing after the game, which is great news. Physically I feel really good after a couple of weeks out.'

One player not looking forward to the trip to France is Nicolas Anelka, after the Chelsea striker launched an astonishing attack on his homeland.

'People said there was a clan of black players in the French squad at the World Cup and we then saw the true face of France,' said Anelka, who was sent home from France's World Cup base after rowing with then coach Raymond Domenech. Anelka received an 18-match ban from the French FA.

Unhappy homecoming: Nicolas Anelka is not looking forward to his return to France on Wednesday

He added: 'When the France team fails to win people start talking straight away about the players' skin colours and religious beliefs.

'I am not "made in France". That is the place where I have had nothing but trouble. I have never wanted to sing the national anthem with the France team. Had they insisted on me doing so I'd have refused and quit.'